Slain lawyer Kyalo Mbobu set for burial as hunt for killers goes on

The family of slain lawyer Mathew Kyalo Mbobu plans to bury the body on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at his Mua home in Machakos County.

Police are yet to make an arrest over the murder, which was committed on September 9, 2025, along Magadi Road in Nairobi.

Officials said a memorial service for the late lawyer is scheduled for Monday at All Saints Cathedral in the evening.

Another memorial event is planned in Karen on Tuesday September 16, 2025.

Police investigating the murder have been drawn to the drawing board after releasing three people who were thought to have been involved in the murder.

They have no concrete clue on the murder for now.

Lack of working CCTV cameras along Langata Road and Magadi Road where the incident happened has been partially blamed for the failure to get the killers on time.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, however, expressed optimism, saying investigators have gathered valuable leads from people close to the lawyer.

“Because he is a lawyer, of course the first thing that comes to mind is whether someone was exerting revenge or attacking him by virtue of his professional duties. DCI has interviewed colleagues, family members, and is reviewing various information,” Murkomen explained.

Murkomen linked delays in apprehending suspects behind the killing to the absence of CCTV cameras along Magadi Road, where the fatal shooting occurred.

Murkomen condemned the murder, noting that unlike in the case of slain MP Ongondo Were—where CCTV footage captured suspects trailing him—detectives have found little to work with in Mbobu’s case.

“It is not easy because the area where this incident happened had no CCTV cameras,” Murkomen said.

Three individuals who had been held as persons of interest in the murder—George Wainaina, Eric Muhia, and Paul Mbugua—were released on Saturday night.

Their lawyer, Maulid Bare Musa, described the arrests as “malicious, unjustified, and a reckless abuse of police powers,” noting that forensic phone analysis, ballistic tests, and verified alibis cleared them of involvement.

Wainaina was in his hospital bed when he was informed of the developments. He had been arrested and taken to Kileleshwa police station where he fell sick and was later rushed and admitted at the Nairobi Hospital on Friday morning.

Two cops who were manning his hospital bed were recalled on Saturday night. Wainaina remained at the hospital on Sunday.

He insisted he was not involved in the incident, adding he knew Mbobu. He said he met him at the Sagret restaurant on September 9, 2025 as he drove out and they chatted briefly before he left.

Wainaina was found with a substantial amount of money.

This has sent the team to the drawing board in the murder probe. The detectives said they are still pursuing leads in the murder.

The killer weapon and killers are yet to be found, police said.

Some clients to the late Mbobu have so far recorded their statements and explained the nature of engagement they had.

Mbobu, a former chairman of Political Parties Disputes Tribunal was shot at least eight times at close range which killed him instantly on September 9, 2025 evening.

He was driving home along Magadi Road in Nairobi when a gunman who was on a motorcycle struck. He shot him in the neck and chest fracturing his spine.

He bled to death. The gunman who had a rider jumped back to the motorcycle and sped off while shooting into the air.

The team is scrutinizing several surveillance footage from various places to establish if Mbobu was trailed and killed. He had arrived at his office earlier in the day and went for morning prayers at the Holy Family Basilica before he came back to the office.

He arrived at the hotel at 11:05a.m. on Tuesday, where he held a three-hour lunch meeting with several individuals that are now being treated as persons of interest.

He left at about 1.45 pm after paying a bill of Sh3,800.

The detectives are also relying on his mobile phone records to establish who he talked to before, during and after the meeting.

Later that day, at 5:09 pm, Mbobu left his office before heading home.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mulele Ingonga Thursday directed the Inspector General of Police to fast-track investigations into the murder incident and to submit a comprehensive status update to his office within seven days for review and further action.

He said he mourns the untimely and tragic killing of in a drive-by incident in Karen, Nairobi.

“The ODPP echoes the DCI’s appeal for members of the public with any information relevant to this case to come forward and share it with law enforcement agencies without delay,” he said.

He reaffirmed the ODPP’s unwavering commitment to upholding the rule of law and safeguarding the security and dignity of every Kenyan.

He said he joins the legal fraternity and all Kenyans in mourning the untimely and tragic killing of in a drive-by incident in Karen, Nairobi.

While welcoming the Director of Criminal Investigations’ (DCI) commitment to securing justice, the DPP called for an expedited investigation to ensure all critical evidence is identified, collected, and preserved in strict accordance with the law.